Lions legend calls up the Red Army
British & Irish Lions coaching legend Jim Telfer has re-created his famous 1997 players pre-match gee-up meeting in an online video that provides a rallying cry for the men of Great Britain and Ireland to travel to Australia for the 2013 British & Irish Lions Tour.
The video is a tongue-in-cheek parody of the original "Mount Everest" motivational speech, which has become a part of the rich Lions folklore.
The re-creation sees Telfer preparing the men of Great Britain and Ireland for the battle that faces them in overcoming their greatest challenge – convincing their wives and girlfriends for permission to travel to Australia and follow the 2013 Tour.
"The British & Irish Lions Tour is the absolute pinnacle for players from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. There are no excuses to miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and I’m urging every UK man to climb their Everest and support our team," Jim Telfer said.
While the video takes a lighthearted approach, The British & Irish Lions Tour is sure to be an incredible experience for players and fans alike and shouldn’t be missed, according to Jim Telfer, who represented the British & Irish Lions both as a player and a coach.
As well as giving rugby union fans the opportunity to be part of sporting history, the event is also a stimulus for Australian tourism, with 20,000 fans from the UK alone visiting Australia for the 2001 Tour.
"A Lions Tour is special and you can’t underestimate the impact the support of the fans has on a players’ performance.
"Nothing will encourage the team more than running out to a sea of red Lions supporters, and we urge you to follow Jim Telfer’s words of wisdom and come out to Australia with us," said Charlie McEwen, British & Irish Lions director of sales and marketing.
The British & Irish Lions will play nine matches during the six-week Tour of Australia (5 June – 6 July), including three Test matches against the Qantas Wallabies and games against all five Australian Super 15 Rugby teams.
The three Test matches will occur in Brisbane (June 22), Melbourne (June 29) and Sydney (July 6), with the tour also including matches in Perth, Canberra and Newcastle.
The video can be viewed at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2pqtaIVBH0&list=PLajBrt9lvgr4HcZsxyCwk-lyvXGddI53V or watch below:
This project is a joint initiative between Tourism Australia and the British & Irish Lions.
More information about The British & Irish Lions Tour to Australia 2013 is available at http://www.lionstour.com.
Ian Jarrett
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